Just testing your memory - does anyone remember a shop selling coffee beans in The Green W5(near the present Oxfam bookshop), where they used to roast coffee in a heated rotating cylindrical roaster, which was housed in the window? What was the name of that shop please? Thanks.
Gerry Tan ● 4408d24 Comments
I believe it was called 'Importers'. I remember the aroma well and used to buy my roasted beans there.
Russell Maiden ● 4408d
The new Cafe Zee roast their coffee, in this manner, on the premises. I love it & buy their Espresso blend
Simon Bell ● 4408d
Spot on Russell.Importers used to have three 'roasts' every day of different beans and then would blend these to the customer's wish.
Nigel Brooks ● 4408d
Earlier, before the building of the Centre, there was a coffee merchant, again with equipment in the window, and emitting that pungent smell, next to the Police Station in the High Street going towards the Green.michael adams
Michael Adams ● 4408d
MichaelMy memory is that that is pretty much precisely where Gerry thought that Importers was located, give or take a shop front or two. As he put it, it was on "The Green W5(near the present Oxfam bookshop)".
Phil Kay ● 4408d
I remember the little police station with a blue light outside in The High Street, before the Shopping Centre was built - and there was a smallish Safeways there too! And a little dairyshop selling milk from large cans! Happy days!
Gerry Tan ● 4407d
Importers had 2 shops in the High street One was near the 3 pigeons and then moved a few doors along.I remember being fascinated by the roaster that was in the window that originally used to have a flame underneath. And the aroma was part of the scene there.I think they had a fire before moving once.Still love the smell but can't drink coffee at all !!
Anthony Waller ● 4407d
I sometimes wonder if the retail scene in Ealing has improved since the 60/70s? Whadya think?
Phil Kay wrote:...MichaelMy memory is that that is pretty much precisely where Gerry thought that Importers was located, give or take a shop front or two.....As I said this shop was in a parade of small shops just past the Police Station which itself was right next to Sainsbury. Then came the oldPost Office building and then another parade of small shops between the Post Office andthe Three Pigeons including a luggage shop and inside leg Morris brothers. michael adams
Michael Adams ● 4407d
Unequivocally no!The array of small independent shops was something to treasure and is why Chiswick and Richmond are still more vibrant shopping areas rather than Ealing which is just a 'clone' of everywhere else.
Nigel Brooks ● 4407d
"As I said this shop was in a parade of small shops just past the Police Station which itself was right next to Sainsbury. Then came the oldPost Office building and then another parade of small shops between the Post Office andthe Three Pigeons including a luggage shop and inside leg Morris brothers. michael adams"Aha, so you bought a shirt or socks at Morris Bros. as well! :-)
I think you're right Nigel, there are fewer and less independent shops in Ealing now...although, there are a few 'pockets' of sole trader shops left I feel...eg; Pitshanger Lane, Northfield Avenue, St Mary's Road and The green W5. And a precious few in St John's Parade I think.
Anyone remember 'Crusts' hamburger restaurant on the same parade as the Oxfam book and record shop and a craft shop called 'No Man's Hand' which was located in a basement(I think) on the road that runs up the side of the church on the broadway( circa 1977 ish?)
Keith Iddon ● 4407d
Penny Crocker (of this very forum) used to work in Crust's
Wasn't Crusts the wine bar on The Mall?
Jim Lawes ● 4406d
That was Crusts 2 and where I had my stag night (first part) in 1980.
Nigel Brooks ● 4406d
Thanks Niger. Those early wine bar days were glorious.Anyone remember the fine lunches (with chips) at the Ealing Squash Club back in the early 70s. ? They were worth suffering the game for!
Maxwell's chippy on Bond St. and Cornucopia on Western Rd.
Keith Iddon ● 4406d
Maxwell's fish and chip restaurant/shop was great - loved their chips and the fish was always fresh - miss the place.
Gerry Tan ● 4406d
I miss the haddock! :0)
Tony Wood ● 4406d
I miss the really meaty skate wings :-(
I miss the Allinson's Stoneground Wholemeal bread 'brick' that they used to sell at Parker's in West Ealing and the cheese shop(can't remeber the name) on Hanwell Broadway.
We're keen on the cheese shop in Northfield Ave. Haven't plucked up enough courage yet to try their Stinking Bishop but their ripe camenbert is a delight with sticks of celery to munch. The shop's a credit to Northfields.
Re Northfield Avenue cheese shop - try their £5 selection bag, available on Saturdays. Three different samples, and different choice each week. Excellent!
Russell Maiden ● 4406d